A Scottish family has chosen a unique name for their daughter that reflects their love for the festive season, prompting mixed reactions from relatives. Morgana McCabe Allan and her husband, Duncan Allan, welcomed their daughter, Meribelle, on December 8, 2018, after a challenging birth experience.
Morgana, a 44-year-old entrepreneur from Dalgetty Bay in Fife, shared that the couple originally had names picked out for their newborn, but upon her arrival, they felt those names did not suit her. After three days of contemplation, inspiration struck, leading them to select the name Meribelle—a combination of “merry” and “bell.”
Strong family connections to Christmas influenced their decision. Morgana explained, “I have always been passionate about Christmas, whereas Duncan was traditionally a bit more of a Grinch. But when our daughter arrived, it felt like a Christmas miracle.” The couple’s two sons, Jamie and Robbie, welcomed their sister with open arms, but the name sparked a surprising reaction from Duncan’s parents.
Morgana recounted their initial response: “Duncan’s mum and dad were like, ‘Oh my god, what have you done? You can’t be serious! This is a joke, it’s not April. Come on, tell us the real name.'” Despite the initial skepticism, family support eventually prevailed, with Morgana’s parents expressing delight at the name, which they thought perfectly suited the season.
The name Meribelle not only resonates with the festive spirit but also holds personal significance for the family. Morgana described how the name evokes various meanings for them, including connections to sailing and fairy tales from her childhood. “It means ‘star of the sea,’ which reminds us of the Christmas star,” she added.
Morgana’s passion for creating a joyful life extended beyond naming her daughter. The arrival of Meribelle inspired her to launch a business aimed at helping entrepreneurs cultivate happiness in their professional lives. She noted, “It was only when I got pregnant with Merrie that I realized how important it was for women to create a real income while having quality time with their children.”
Duncan was able to shift away from his traditional job, allowing him to take on a more active role in Meribelle’s upbringing. “He’s been a major caregiver in her life,” Morgana stated, highlighting the positive impact of their family dynamics.
As Meribelle grows, she embraces her name with pride, often correcting those who mistakenly call her Mary. Morgana explained, “When someone gets her name wrong, she’ll always set them straight. It’s not Mary, it’s Meribelle—or she’ll say it’s not Mary, it’s Merrie Penguin,” referencing a playful nickname inspired by her daughter’s early sounds as a baby.
Meribelle has brought an abundance of joy into the Allan household, a sentiment that Morgana cherishes deeply. She concluded, “It always felt like the most joyful name. There’s nothing more joyful than your child having a name that literally evokes joy. I think that definitely brings out a joy in her as well.”
As the family continues to celebrate the season, they reflect on the meaningful connection between Meribelle’s name and the happiness it has fostered in their lives.
